Act: 67
Shizu's body sprung up before momentarily laying back down. He moved his arm over his eyes blocking out the bright light while slowly regaining his vision. The nurse who had been catering to him started to ask a few questions. Beginning with how he was feeling and informing him not to sit up too quickly. Once that was over, she then followed up with the remaining check-up, Star energy, soreness, vision, and temperature. As that finished, he sat up straight. Noticed that somebody was behind the metal door and to his surprise behind the glass was Chul-Moo's face pressed up against it.
Shizu let off a small chuckle.
"Don't worry. I'm done now."
He mouthed, after standing up and walking over he opened the door which led him outside of the mini heath center located inside of the tournament. Chul-Moo was full of energy, and excited about his win he gave him a gracious hug, shouting out with excitement and satisfaction that he had pulled it off.
"You did it! I knew you could beat Hano! And guess what big bro! The whole world saw it happen as well. You did it, you did it, you did it!"
The two of them smiling over the victory. Something came to Shizu's mind. Wondering about how the others were doing, especially Aikawa. Knowing that she had to have taken quite the mental and physical abuse, one ride after another. Though to his surprise as he was about to ask Chul-Moo where she could be located, around the corner she came.
'Oh, would you see that?'
"I was just about to ask you little bro if you knew where she was."
"Who?"
Chul-Moo said with a confused expression, proceeding to turn his head in the direction of where Shizu was looking. Aikawa began to approach them. She stopped staring at them while holding a tan bag with some expensive name brands on it. Reaching inside the bag she threw a black hoodie with white sleeves and a pair of black shorts at him.
"Hmph, go change out of that gown and put these on."
"Please."
she quietly said.
Shizu was confused. All he could do was smile and thank her.
"You didn't have to buy me new clothes. Aikawa."
"Hey! You don't have to pause and then say my name! Hurry up and change already."
She said facing the other way.
"Thank you. I really am grateful to have you two."
"Oh, whatever. Don't lump me in with- Huh?"
She was caught off guard by Shizu as he took a step forward and grabbed Chul-Moo with his left arm and Aikawa with his right. Bringing them together for a tight hug which lasted for a second before he backed off. He turned around and went towards the restroom to change clothes.
Han Chul-Moo glanced at Aikawa with a sour look, puffing out his cheeks.
"You bought my big bro a new set of clothing!? To one-up me! No, I will make sure I have a gift for my big bro that's even better!"
Aikawa was confused. Before she was about to respond to Han Chul-Moo, he pulled out his phone and began to call someone. He sounded anxious and desperate for something, so he started to walk away while talking on the phone.
He stopped and quickly looked back at Aikawa, muting whoever he was speaking with on the phone and shouting at her across the hall.
"Make sure you keep big bro company; I will be right back!"
"Sigh. Big bro? Whatever. Hmph, I mean I guess I'll wait for him."
*Yes! Right now! Who cares, make it fast, I need them now! *
Aikawa turned her head back down the hallway where Han Chul-Moo was heard yelling on the phone.
"What the hell is he on about?"
As she waited the door opened and Shizu walked out with his hair neatly made and he rolled up the sleeves of his jacket all the way up to his elbows.
"So how do I look?"
"Lame."
*Ach*
"Aw come on now."
"Hmph. Fine, what about decent. Only because I picked it out!"
"I see, I see I'll take that it's much better than lame."
Shizu dropped his head from the light-hearted sadness he felt before smiling.
'It feels weird. Hano never really showed care for me like Shizu has. I feel wanted not to like how others have lusted or just tried to down themselves on me. If Hano decides what he wants to fight for and be with, especially after seeing him hugging Chisaka like it was the end of the world. But Shizu...'
"Shizu, I wanted to ask... Why do you keep looking up? You did the same thing when I first met you."
"Huh? You mean to tell me you don't see that giant lady behind you? She's always with you when I focus on that odd kind of Star energy you have hovering behind you. She has long silver hair and it looks perfect. Elegant emerald eyes and pale skin almost gray I kinda like it."
"What?! First off Shizu, that's weird describing her like that..."
She leaned over to Aikawa's ear and whispered.
*I quite fancy it milady. *
"You're not helping-"
"Wait, she can talk? That's so cool!!"
'I'm more curious about how he can even see her. He's not even a summoned user and I doubt he has some sort of Star control to even notice. There's only one person I can think of who could. That being the number one Ranker of Japan.'
*I have so many questions I would like to ask! *
"Save them for another time. Wait!"
Aikawa and the lady behind her made heavy eye contact after realizing that he was able to understand what she was saying to Aikawa.
"Shizu. Just what are you?"
*Shizu is your name? Milady, is it ok if I approach him? *
She said in a soft tone while sounding like she was a goddess.
"Yeah, that's ok."
She moved close to Shizu. The lower half of her body was missing and the only thing showing was her waist up. Turning her head around and inspecting him all she did was smile and move back over to Aikawa's shoulders.
*Fascinating. *
"What is it?"
*Not even I can tell but I know for certain he has-*
Han Chul-Moo shouted from the end of the hallway causing the three to look behind and at him. Realizing that Shizu was out of the bathroom and looking a lot better he changed from walking to sprinting. Standing in front of him he had a big smile like always but in his hand, he held a box. Shizu noticed that he never looked up at the lady over Aikawa and wondered as to why he could see her and not him.
"What's in the box?"
"Hehe, glad you asked big bro! Inside is."
Removing the lid revealed a pair of purple and white high-top shoes. Chul-Moo handed it over to him.
"I seriously can't accept this. You guys both got me something and I returned nothing for you two. I feel bad..."
"Big bro! Take it, I shall not hear anything else!"
Shizu sighed while staring at Chul-Moo, continuously looking away from him with his arms crossed.
"I can't win can I."
He chuckled and accepted the gift. Kneeling, he took off his worn-out sports shoes, putting on the new ones and throwing out the old pair. Going up to Chul-Moo, he thanked him while giving him a hug.
"Well, should we leave and get ready for school tomorrow?"
Han Chul-Moo responded first.
"Not after getting some food and furthermore celebrating your win! This is a huge deal, big bro you won in front of hundreds if not thousands of people!"
*Sigh. Yeah. *
"I have to agree with him, Shizu. I don't know what would've happened if you didn't save me... I honestly thought Hano... Would attempt to kill me. I let my guard down, never again!"
Shizu leaned, bringing them closer.
"Yeah, let's hang out for the rest of the day. We deserve to have fun."
They smiled and Aikawa smirked until finally giving in for a smile. Shizu and Chul-Moo glanced at each other after seeing Aikawa genuinely smile for once.
"I have our ride ready outside. So, let's get going!"
"You two head out first. I must finish some business. I promise I won't take long. A few minutes."
They both agreed and walked outside and made their way to Chul-Moo's car that awaited them. Shizu kept his smile bright and happy, it dropped once they were out of sight and the tone of his voice deepened.
"Come out already."
*Voowsh*
That familiar calm menacing tone.
"Oh. Shizu my boy, you truly have displayed what I longed to see. You're the perfect tool. Worry not, I will keep my word. Reach your hand out, take it you earned it."
Shizu hesitated but insisted on listening. He stuck his hand out and kept a keen eye on his hidden face, unlike the others he knew this one was not to be taken lightly. The Master, having his hand balled up opened it over Shizu's and dropped the silver crystal with a string attached to it.
"All yours and not damaged. Now as for Hano, he won't bother you anymore. I found out one of my own had an agreement with him. That is resolved as of now."
"Hm. I have a question. What is that black Star thing I've seen now."
"Ah, the negative effect. Yes, Hano and Taku have obtained one. However, how they use it is up to them. I will say great cost comes with overusing it."
"How can I remove it from them?"
"Any other questions?"
"You ignored that one."
"I know. Because you won't."
"What do you mean?"
"Not telling~"
"Tch. How about this? Why me?"
"Hehe. You see-"
*Oh, it's Shizu. *
Shizu looked down the hall to see Taku and a whole bunch of others making their way. Though the Master was nowhere in sight, only hearing a faint sentence, "the red moon".
'Damnit.'
Shizu looked over towards them and walked away heading outside to the car where the two were waiting for him.
"Hey Shizu! You plan on walking away without saying a word about what you did to me!"
Shizu stopped and spoke.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
Taku shouted across the hall and Shizu turned around to face him.
"Is that so you damn monster."
"I don't know what you're on about Taku. Can we not fight for once."
As they got closer to him, Taku grabbed him by the shirt pulling him forward.
"Eh?! Do you really want to play the fool? After you humiliated me and Daichi. Fucking bitch I thought we were friends!"
*Wha...? *
The rest turned and saw what was going on. Shizu watched everyone and he started to picture their faces distorting and the look of disgust was written all over. Huge smiles laughing and looking down on him. Each one getting higher and higher caving in on his thoughts.
He snapped back to his senses and broke free from Taku's grip and walked off without saying a word.
*That's right take a fucking hike! That's all you're good for! Being quiet and needed for our benefit."
- - - -
Once he got in the car with them waiting. He forced out a smile and had a conversation for a while. They even asked about where he got the necklace from. For a simple response, he said that he remembered it was in his pocket when he woke up. Shizu even asked about what happened during the tournament because it was hard for him to recall. Aikawa shrugged it off because she was out. However, Chul-Moo stated that he was acting odd and turned on his team then took out everyone else besides Aikawa. All Shizu could do was sigh out of confusion, not knowing what the hell to think anymore.
They spent the rest of the evening together, shopping, getting food, and enjoying the fresh air until nightfall. Shizu told Chul-Moo to take Aikawa home and he decided to walk home, he had a place he wanted to visit alone. They gave their goodbyes and would see one another at school on Monday morning. He looked down at his phone.
[ 19:43 April 16 ]
Looking up at the moon he wondered about the red moon. The streets seemed so peaceful he thought to himself while walking, going through all that had happened to him he didn't know where to start or what to think.
- - - -
"I noticed that you were watching me for some time. What is it that you want from me just come out already."
The road they were on had dimly lit streetlights and an alleyway. No one was nearby and no cars were passing by. The perfect spot for a confrontation that could end up bad for one another. A black portal blended in with the shadowy scene of the ally. However, he was able to notice watching as a masked figure walked out and took only a few steps to have the moonlight reflect off his mask. Hiding his hand, he activated his star that triggered on his palm signaling the other two.
"I knew it, this Star energy I felt back at the tournament, didn't I? What do you want?"
The Master and his humble chuckle responded.
"I will be straightforward. You have potential and truly amaze me. It's just that you are not an important character and I know you can cause me annoyance in the future. The only option left is for me to kill you."
Yasu grinned and shouted out the name of his star, raising his right arm up in the air. Confused by the pain he looked at his arm and saw that there was only a bloody stub left of his elbow. The adrenaline kicked in, flailing back; he couldn't process what happened. How come that man never moved?
Yasu, who usually has no compassion in his tone had for once showed more concern in it.
"Afraid of dying?"
The Master walked over to him, stepping from out the spotlight, each cold step leaving echoed taps, quiet and empty Yasu's heartbeat in sync with his steps. The Master reaches out just as he's about to be grabbed. A red beam strikes the Master and Takashi sprints around to protect Yasu, Takashi eagerly notices how the guy attacking Yasu didn't move one bit and is unfazed by his direct attack.
Takashi's normal exhilarated and lively tone disappeared within seconds after noticing Yasu's arm.
"You bastard! Yasu boosts me in speed."
Takashi's entire body lit red from his Star and Yasu's Star changed color now appearing on his left hand. Takashi began to yell after intensely boosting his physical output and with the blink of an eye he disappeared. Reappearing around the corner, the Master looked and turned his head away as he sensed the star energy of incoming arrows. That phased right through him.
"Your Star allows you to phase through objects? Well, let's see how that will help you now that they have increased speed."
Takashi dashed at the Master, phasing through him once more and spinning around to recover again, the moment he went to say something to Naru, he choked. His organs were splattered on the sidewalk behind him, falling on his back in his own blood. The Star energy around him vanished and his eyes remained open. Yasu, now feeling distraught he shakenly took a glance at his Star and saw how Takashi no longer was linked.
*NARU! *
"Run!!"
She looked over at Yasu in fear, with eyes watering up, and suddenly jolted. Forcing herself to speak the only words to come out were.
"I'm- sorry... Run."
The Master had a tight grip on her stomach, grabbing harder he burst her open busting the ribcage and swinging his arm up splitting her in two. Yasu was breathing heavily, trembling as he began to run away. At the same time, not wanting to leave them behind, he gives himself the only boost which is speed. In the distance, he could make out a figure turning the corner. It was.
"Shizu!"
The amount of relief he felt, happy that he was able to see him. Shizu turned over and saw Yasu with a huge, crooked smile on his face, snot dripping from his nose and covered with blood. Yasu was confused as to why Shizu got smaller. The Master held on to his neck lifting him up. Yasu stuttered his words in fear.
'No way... Aw damn it, I will never get to see them again, my family, my pets, my friends, and even Takashi and Naru. Damn... I wanted to ask Naru out one day... Maybe Shizu... Can save me...? He can resurrect, right? Yes! I can die and he will bring them all back and me! I trust him I'm not scared to die now knowing I'll be back.'
"Shizu...! Help m-"
The Master crushed his neck completely, throwing him to the ground. Shizu sprinted over to him, and the Master told him to stop. For some reason, Shizu stopped the same voice from the forest and told him to stop as well.
"Good boy Shizu. It's too late to save them anyway. I will clean this up and you can go on with your night."
"Why the fuck did you kill them!"
"I couldn't allow you to get close to them personally. That Yasu boy. He would become a huge problem if in the future you two worked together the pure pain I would feel watching the judge fail. With his max star potential, he could grant someone infinite Star energy for a while. Though we will never know. Hehe~"
"You know how outlandish you sound right now!"
"None at all. Nothing I do is outlandish, and it's called proper calculations. You would too if you had a goal in mind. Even if I waited for you, could you have really beaten me? Remember that I can wipe out anything with one swing. You struggled against a boy with a sword and technically lost due to a boy who used a lion Star that only wanted entertainment. Therefore, I hope it'll be different when we meet again by the red moon. I will still be watching, don't worry.
The Master took some steps back and the portal opened. Stepping inside he vanished along with all the bodies and blood.
*Voowsh*
"Good luck Shizu, your future will soon change. I wonder how it'll be tomorrow and onward.
Shizu was left speechless and confused. He felt an unknown heavy weight resting on him, but he wasn't sure why yet. It feels like he's expected to do so much with so little.
"I hate how I have to turn a blind eye to all of this! I have nothing! How can I have so much damn worth in that person's eyes. I'm sorry Yasu... I can't help you."
Shizu continued down the street as the moon shone the way until sudden darkness upon arriving home that night, starting off school the next day Monday morning.